Synonym Chooser

How is the word renounce distinct from other similar verbs?

The words abdicate and resign are common synonyms of renounce. While all three words mean "to give up a position with no possibility of resuming it," renounce may replace it but often implies additionally a sacrifice for a greater end.

renounced her inheritance by marrying a commoner

When could abdicate be used to replace renounce?

Although the words abdicate and renounce have much in common, abdicate implies a giving up of sovereign power or sometimes an evading of responsibility such as that of a parent.

abdicated the throne

When is it sensible to use resign instead of renounce?

While in some cases nearly identical to renounce, resign applies to the giving up of an unexpired office or trust.

resigned from the board

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of renounce In 2007, at 52 years old, Rinder renounced Scientology, becoming a prominent whistleblower against the organization's abuses. Shania Russell, EW.com, 5 Jan. 2025 This week, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Russia’s demand that Ukraine renounce its right to sovereignty and territorial integrity as a precondition to start peace talks. Marc Santora, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025 The Vatican renounced the Doctrine, but it was cited by the U.S. Supreme Court as recently as 2005. Cy Neff, USA TODAY, 25 Dec. 2024 Putin has previously demanded that Ukraine renounce its bid to join NATO and recognize Russia’s gains. Vladimir Isachenkov, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for renounce 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for renounce
Verb
  • The Chiefs wouldn’t relinquish the lead the rest of the game.
    Zak Keefer, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
  • And, to access the program, a parent must relinquish custody of his or her child to the state — a requirement many parents find inhumane.
    Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Moicano stepped in on weigh-in day when Makhachev’s initial opponent, Arman Tsarukyan withdrew with a back injury.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
  • More than 25 players jumped into the transfer portal over his departure, which caused Marshall to withdraw from the game.
    Ryan Canfield, Fox News, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • During Trump’s first term, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke resigned from his post in the face of at least six investigations into ethical misconduct allegations and other possible violations.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Most Popular Most Popular Gov. Wes Moore pushing new vehicle fees, increases to reverse some transportation cuts Acting head of troubled Maryland psychiatric hospital resigns following facility evaluation Gov. Wes Moore is about to pitch tax cuts and increases for the first time.
    Candy Woodall, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Share [Findings] The Journal of Pediatric Genetics retracted a study on Islamic beliefs concerning the possible supernatural causes of birth defects on the grounds that the research lacked a scientific basis.
    Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The big question with this trend is how durable are the internal mechanisms used to retract integrated cables?
    Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This decision not only undermines the reproductive rights of American women but also sets a perilous precedent for the court’s willingness to abdicate its own power.
    Steven Delco, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2025
  • The intervention in Syria also allowed Russia to assume the role of protector of Christians in the Middle East—a role that, in Putin’s view, decadent Western powers had abdicated, and a mission that fit neatly with Putin’s desire to present Russia as Europe’s last bastion of Christian values.
    Alexander Baunov, Foreign Affairs, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • And the Supreme Court has reaffirmed it in the years since — including in the 1982 case Plyler v. Doe, which held that states cannot deny students a free public education based on their immigration status.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Chris Brown says he is banned from entering Canada Brown confirmed that he was denied entry into Canada based on his criminal history just hours before he was set to perform in the first of two performances in Toronto.
    Alex Heigl, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near renounce

Cite this Entry

“Renounce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renounce. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

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